But it is reported, and I believe truly, that the Khalifa, his father, has positively refused to let him do so; still, sons have disobeyed their fathers before now.
"There is, it is true, the difficulty of water; but that is not so serious, in the case of a Dervish force, as it is with us.

In the first place, they can march twice as far as we can.

In the second place, they are accustomed to go a long time without water, and are but little affected by the heat.

Lastly, they have nothing to carry except their weapons, a few handfuls of dates, and their water gourds.

Still, we know that the forces that have, one after another, arrived here have been greatly weakened by the journey.